19th Sunday after Trinity
This service is live in church, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online. Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.
First reading: Job 1:1, 2-10;
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job.This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified.Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?”
Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.”
8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.
Second reading: Mark 10:2-16
Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.
4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”
5 “It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Intercession
The bidding for today’s prayers is Creator God, and the response is, Hear our prayer.
Creator God. Hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, creator of the Universe, you know every creature and its needs. We offer you our prayers today in the name of all creation.
We pray for the Church to be a beacon of hope throughout the world, reminding us all of our responsibility to care for and protect God’s precious gifts. We ask that our world leaders work for the greater good of us all, open their minds, their eyes and their ears to the many that call for change to ensure the preservation of our wonderful planet.
Creator God. Hear our prayer.
We pray for our world, our common home, that through God’s grace we may hear and see the damage we have caused and be moved to protect it in future.
We remember all those people who are already facing droughts, floods, and storms as a result of climate change and we pray for those caught up in the aftermath of hurricane Helene in the south-eastern states of America. Grant them strength and hope in their time of adversity. We pray that we may all work to adapt to the changing climate and to temper our desires and needs against the limitations of the earth’s resources.
We pray for people and places caught up in conflict, especially for the people of Ukraine and Gaza. We remember those trapped by conflict, for those who have lost loved ones, for the sick and injured, for those who have lost their homes, and for the lonely and the outcast in all parts of our world.
Creator God. Hear our prayer.
We think about our local community in which we live, help us to help each other, let us all be inspired to do something for someone else. We pray especially for all the work that is happening to bring about our Harvest flower festival next weekend. We think about the theme ‘Our bountiful but fragile world’ – help us to care for the environment around us, to protect it from harm, and to allow it to thrive. Show us how we can make a difference locally, nationally and around the world.
Creator God. Hear our prayer.
We pray for those in need within our own families and amongst our friends. We place into your hands those who are ill, ease their pain, and comfort them in their distress, help them to cope with their sickness and the treatment they receive. Give them courage and strength in their days ahead and be with those who care for them, filling them with the warmth of your love now and always.
Today we especially pray for …. (sick)
Creator God. Hear our prayer.
We remember before God those who have died, we pray for those who have lost family or friends recently or sometime ago. Praying for those who mourn, help us to support them with our love and friendship, now and in the months ahead.
Today we remember….(the departed).
Creator God. Hear our prayer.
Loving Lord, we ask that you forgive our past mistakes. Give us the will and the courage to simplify the way we live, to reduce the energy we use; to share the resources you provide and to help us to follow your lead in caring for the world you love.
Merciful Father,
Accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
